Shillong, July 24: Following Nagaland and Manipur, Meghalaya have issued advisories to respective Deputy Commissioners, expressing concern over a potential influx of illegal migrants from Assam. These actions come in response to Assam’s intensified eviction drives targeting alleged encroachments on government and forest lands across several districts, which have displaced hundreds of families.
The Meghalaya government issued its directive, explicitly linking the advisory to the ongoing eviction drive in Assam. The circular, signed by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Shakil P Ahamed, stated: “In view of the ongoing eviction drive against illegal immigrants undertaken by the Government of Assam and to prevent possible influx of the displaced individuals to the state as a consequence, all Deputy Commissioners are hereby directed to keep vigilant and take necessary measures to ensure the potential influx is kept in check and law and order is maintained.”
Meanwhile, Manipur also urged its district officials to stay alert and monitor any unusual movement across the inter-state boundary, although its advisory did not directly cite Assam’s eviction efforts. The memorandum instructed that: “If any such movement is detected, it should be immediately reported and biographic and biometric details of such persons be captured mandatorily.”
The Manipur government further emphasized that any such individuals must be housed in secure, designated locations for shelter and humanitarian support, without integrating them into the local population. It also made it clear that all such migrants would be deported after due procedures are followed.
Earlier on July 21, the Nagaland government had issued a similar advisory, citing the need to preserve the state’s demographic balance and maintain public order amid fears of demographic change triggered by Assam’s eviction measures.
The growing concern across the region has prompted the Border Security Force (BSF) to increase surveillance along the Assam-Meghalaya border. In recent weeks, BSF personnel have apprehended several Bangladeshi nationals found travelling without valid documentation.
